IT Apprentice
THATCHAM RESEARCH
Berkshire (RG19 4NR)
Closes in 10 days (Sunday 1 March 2026)
Posted on 16 February 2026
Contents
Summary
Start your career in tech with hands‑on experience and real impact.
Are you curious about how IT systems work? Do you enjoy solving problems and helping people? Looking to kickstart your tech career with practical experience and professional qualifications? This could be the perfect opportunity for you.
- Wage
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£17,000 a year
- Training course
- Information communications technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Our standard working hours are 8:30 - 16:30 Monday - Thursday, early finish on Friday - 8:30 - 15:45.
36 hours 45 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
At Thatcham Research, we’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated IT Apprentice to join our friendly IT Services team. You’ll work alongside experienced professionals who will support your development every step of the way, helping you build the technical skills and confidence needed for a successful career in IT. You’ll work towards the ICT Apprenticeship Level 3, which typically takes 18-24 months to achieve.
What you'll be doing:
You’ll play a key role in keeping our people connected and our technology running smoothly. During your apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to:
- Set up and maintain IT hardware, software, mobile devices and user accounts
- Provide first‑ and second‑line support, helping colleagues troubleshoot issues in person, remotely or via our service desk
- Monitor system performance, support security processes and help manage our IT asset register
- Create useful documentation and knowledge base articles
- Develop strong customer service and communication skills as you assist users at all levels of the business
- Understand cybersecurity fundamentals and follow best‑practice standards
You’ll be supported by your line manager, mentors, and the wider IT Services team — including specialists in cloud, security and IT transformation.
Where you'll work
Colthrop Way
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG19 4NR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WEST BERKSHIRE TRAINING CONSORTIUM
Training course
Information communications technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Interpret and prioritise internal or external customer's requirements in line with organisation's policy
- Apply the appropriate tools and techniques to undertake fault finding and rectification
- apply Continuous Professional Development to support necessary business output and technical developments
- Operate safely and securely across platforms and responsibilities maintaining the security of personal data of internal and external stakeholders
- Communicate with all levels of stakeholders, keeping them informed of progress and managing escalation where appropriate
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers and other relevant stakeholders
- Manage and prioritise the allocated workload effectively making best use of time and resources
- Complete documentation relevant to the task and escalate where appropriate
- Install or undertake basic software upgrades,either physically or remotely
- Establish and diagnose the extent of the IT support task, in line with the organisation's policies and Service Level Agreements
- Provide remote/F2F support to resolve customer requirements
- Maintain a safe working environment for own personal safety and others in line with Health & Safety appropriate to the task
- Identify and scope the best solution informed by the system data associated with the task
- Test and evaluate the system's performance and compliance with customer requirements.
- Escalate non routine problems in line with procedures
- Use basic scripting to execute the relevant tasks for example PowerShell, Linux
- Carry out routine maintenance across systems, (such as IT, Communications), ensuring organisational compliance at all times
- Apply the necessary security, in line with access and/or encryption requirements
- Use a range of Cabling or Connectors equipment in line with technical requirements for example physically or remotely
- Test and evaluate network environments
- Monitor performance and usage of a network
- Deploy applications on a network
- Set up storage and data access for staff
- Apply necessary security measures, in line with access requirements to a network
- Carry out routine maintenance across network systems, ensuring organisational compliance
- Monitor network-related workloads including DNS and firewalls
- Install or undertake basic upgrades, either physically or remotely
- Establish digital communication or telecommunications systems through, for example cabling and connecting equipment.
- Identify a range of tools and or diagnostic equipment, for example, Hardware or Software components, to resolve Communications or Telecommunications requirements.
- Undertake basic telecommunications activities, in response to an allocated task, designated responsibilities, instructions or customer’s requirements.
- Use information necessary to identify operational issues and rectify or escalate accordingly in line with policy
- Interpret and prioritise internal or external customer's requirements in line with organisation's policy
- Apply the appropriate tools and techniques to undertake fault finding and rectification
- apply Continuous Professional Development to support necessary business output and technical developments
- Operate safely and securely across platforms and responsibilities maintaining the security of personal data of internal and external stakeholders
- Communicate with all levels of stakeholders, keeping them informed of progress and managing escalation where appropriate
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers and other relevant stakeholders
- Manage and prioritise the allocated workload effectively making best use of time and resources
- Complete documentation relevant to the task and escalate where appropriate
- Install or undertake basic software upgrades,either physically or remotely
- Establish and diagnose the extent of the IT support task, in line with the organisation's policies and Service Level Agreements
- Provide remote/F2F support to resolve customer requirements
- Maintain a safe working environment for own personal safety and others in line with Health & Safety appropriate to the task
Training schedule
Skills & experience you might have:
You don’t need previous IT work experience - just a passion for technology and a willingness to learn. You’ll thrive if you have:
- An interest in IT fundamentals (hardware, software, networks, operating systems)
- Problem‑solving skills and a logical approach
Confidence communicating with both technical and non‑technical people - A positive attitude and desire to grow your skills
- GCSEs in English and maths (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent (desired but not essential)
We’ll help you build essential technical skills throughout your apprenticeship, including troubleshooting, system administration, Microsoft 365, Active Directory, Azure, Intune and more.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an on-site Crash Laboratory, Repair Technology Centre and Training Academy, our research expertise is driving some of the very latest automotive developments in technology, materials and standards in this fast moving and highly technical industry.
https://www.thatcham.org/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 10% non-contributory pension
- 29 days holiday
- Discounted gym membership
- Subsidised on-site restaurant
- Free on-site parking
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
IT Services Engineer.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WEST BERKSHIRE TRAINING CONSORTIUM
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000015665.
Apply now
Closes in 10 days (Sunday 1 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.